Inmates make dentures for patients at safety net clinics

Program's goal: Provide inmates with skills to support themselves, families after release

An inmate uses a tool to smooth the gum surface on a set of wax dentures being made in the dental lab at the Topeka Correctional Facility. The inmate is one of eight females learning to make dentures as a trade to support themselves and their families once they are released from the prison.

Tomas Co, supervisor and instructor for the dental technician program at Topeka Correctional Facility, describes how the dentures are made to fit patients being treated at the Kansas Association for the Medically Underserved's safety net clinics across Kansas.

A female inmate at the Topeka Correctional Facility uses a soldering tool to lightly touch the area around a tooth in a set of wax dentures.

The wax softens, and she guides a dental tool to smooth the gum line so the dentures will look more appealing and be a better fit in the patient’s mouth.

The inmate is one of eight women who have qualified for the dental technician program and work at the Kansas Correctional Industries’ dental lab at the correctional facility.

Tomas Co, supervisor and instructor for the dental technician program, said the goal is to provide inmates with the education and hands-on experience of denture-making so they can pass a certification exam and better support themselves and their families when they are released.

“It’s a one-time opportunity to learn a skill and stand on their own two feet in a good-paying job,” Co said.

Kathy Heerwald, administrative assistant for the dental technician program, said the program was established by the Kansas Department of Corrections in 2007, with the help of the Southeast Kansas Education Center at Greenbush. The Delta Dental of Kansas Foundation has provided ongoing funding for the project.

Heerwald said inmates are recommended for the program’s eight job positions by counselors and administrators at the correctional facility. When an inmate is released, another inmate is interviewed and hired.

Co said the inmates must have the “attitude and mental aptitude” to comprehend the theory and science of denture-making, as well as demonstrate “proper decorum and respect” while working in the dental lab.

Heerwald said the inmates make dentures for patients being treated at the Kansas Association for the Medically Underserved’s safety net clinics across Kansas.

“We are a supplier to the clinics,” she said. “We can create affordable dentures for the clinics. The students get experience, and the patient gets dentures at a reduced cost.”

The dentists at the KAMU clinics make an impression of the patient’s mouth and send the impression/prescription form to the TCF dental lab, Co said. The inmates create a try-in denture — a wax mold of the gums with plastic teeth. The finished try-in denture is sent to the clinic to ensure it fits the patient properly and the patient is pleased with its appearance.

Once approved, the try-in denture is returned to the dental lab and a permanent set of dentures with hard acrylic gums and plastic teeth is made.

Co said a tiny label with the patient’s last name, and sometimes the first letter of their first name, is placed inside the dentures so they can be easily identified.

Heerwald said the inmates made 180 dentures in 2012. The dental lab became part of Kansas Correctional Industries in July and in the following six months created 159 dentures.

“That’s a significant jump,” she said. “That reflects the quality and skills of these students.”

Because of its success, Co said the dental technician program will be expanding the lab into a neighboring classroom, doubling the space of the lab to 1,000 square feet. Another eight-station work bench will be installed, and an additional eight workers will be hired.

“We hope to do this in five to seven months,” Heerwald said, adding the Delta Dental of Kansas Foundation has already awarded them a grant to pay for the work bench, eight chairs, shipping and handling.

With the expansion, the inmates also will begin making bridges and crowns. Currently, they earn 60 cents an hour, but those wages are expected to increase with the expansion.

Heerwald said the dental lab workers also try to give back to the community through a holiday gift bag program. During their spare time in the lab, the inmates bag, bow and tag bags that contain a toothbrush, tooth paste and dental floss provided by Delta Dental. Last year, about 2,000 gift bags were distributed.

The gift bags are given at no charge to the Topeka Moving Ahead Program and the YWCA Center for Safety and Empowerment, as well as other inmates at the correctional facility.

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“It is the first responsibility of every citizen to question authority." - Benjamin Franklin

"Never underestimate the power of human stupidity" - L.Long

When these women are released, not only will they be qualified for jobs substantially above minimum wage, they should have an improved sense of self-worth and (hopefully) the desire and ambition to take advantage of the career opportunities ahead of them.

These ladies do a great job! They go to work everyday are eager to learn! Occasionally their work room stinks to high hell...but to sit there and watch these dedicated workers is truly a wonderful thing to see. They take great pride in their work. They have great support with Mrs. H and Dr. C!! Way to go ladies!!! Keep it up!